Consumers Are Spending Again: Sony CEO Stringer

The US consumer is spending again, Sir Howard Stringer, chairman, CEO and president of Sony, told CNBC Thursday.

“There is a willingness to pay creeping back into the American market,” said Stringer, speaking from the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, the industry’s annual gathering in which manufacturers showcase new products.

Stringer said that 3-D products got off to a slower start in the US, because consumers were waiting to see before sinking money into new technology.

“If you’re not willing to spend money, that’s the moment not to spend it,” he added.

Stringer said also that the company had strong sales in November and December, making Sony Number 1 in both 3-D and Blu-ray, and that it experienced “huge momentum in China, India and Russia.”

The company expects to introduce its 24-hour 3-D channel, called 3-Net, early this year, said Stringer.

It is currently negotiating carriage cable fees and lining up content, some of which is created by Sony and Discovery and the rest acquired.